(COLUMBUS) - The body of a Columbus man whose family believes died under suspicious circumstances has been exhumed.

The family of Cary Owsley has fought to have his remains exhumed for a forensic autopsy. They won a court battle in November but were forbidden from telling anyone the time or date. Owsley's sister, her son and the family attorney witnessed the exhumation Wednesday around 9 a.m. An autopsy will be performed in Fort Wayne later Wednesday.

The family expects Owsley's remains to return to Columbus on Thursday. They will have a graveside service in the coming days.

FOX59 has been following the family's story. The Bartholomew County coroner ruled Owsley's death a suicide, but family members don't believe that's the case. An autopsy was never performed, and Owley's sister, Cheryl Jackson, doubts the fatal gunshot wound was self-inflicted. She believes an autopsy could settle the case once and for all.

"I don't know who killed my brother," Jackson told FOX59 in November. "But I know there's a lot of possibilities that include the people who lived in that house (the night he died)."